SEASON 2021- SEASON APRIL 24 SEASON 2019- SEASON SSE E AAS S OON N 2 019 - AP APRIL 13 RI L 1 3 SEASONSESEASASONON 2019201019 - APAAPRILPRIR L 131 East Malvern Community Bank® Branch are proud sponsors of Amateur Football. With every product or service we offer, money goes back into the community to support local clubs, organisations and initiatives like Amateur Football. As an East Malvern Community Bank® Branch customer you benefit from competitive products and great service and get the satisfaction of knowing your banking is contributing to your club. To find out how your club can benefit for each referral made, call into East Malvern Community Bank® Branch at 300 Waverley Road, East Malvern or phone Branch Manager, 5XWK+DOO on 9563 6044. East Malvern Community Bank® Branch Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879. (S51971) (05/15) EMERGENCY THINK EPWORTH Open 24 hours with short wait times Epworth Emergency is the largest private hospital emergency department in Victoria. With state of the art radiology services and designed with dedicated areas, for our staff to provide expert emergency care to children and adults. On-call specialists in adult and paediatric medicine are available 24/7 for advice and inpatient care. OPEN 24/7 | Ph (03) 9506 3000 62 Erin Street, Richmond VIC 3121 See current wait time: www.epworth.org.au 1 419 IN AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS CALL 000 FIRST IC_0 R 79_R NP20 EDITORIAL Together we Achieve More Brett Connell - VAFA CEO Once again, I want to celebrate the return of VAFA investing heavily and making signifi cant football. With Rounds 1 and 2 under our belts, I want to upgrades to the hosting platform make a few observations. (Amazon Web Services) for VAFA.com.au, our website’s load times are quicker and more Last week, I touched on challenges we faced with a effi cient than they’ve ever been. shortage of umpires and the late timing of our advice to clubs requiring already loaded club volunteers to perform I would like to thank our community for the incredible Houdini type feats and fi nd more offi cials. The umpiring uptake of the digital Amateur Footballer Record over matter became more than what was explained from an the past two weeks. The change from hard copy to operations perspective, with elements of the feedback soft copy was fl agged with clubs via surveys in 2019 referring to gender equity. and again in 2020, with the majority recognising the fi nancial benefi t of moving to a digital version. While While social media is a tool our clubs use to celebrate clubs are progressively sending their team lists through team performances and their players and members, it for inclusion in the record, the ability to download directly is disappointing when individual members misuse it to to smartphones and the use of printed QR codes at promulgate misinformation and negativity. It is timely to club canteens over the weekend saw a great number of remind our community that the VAFA’s Social Media & eyeballs reading over our 64-page record. While there is a Digital Communication Policy extends to small group unhappy with the decision to players and offi cials on any social media The VAFA has go digital in 2021, we hope the transition channel or online forum and misuse, as the single largest is made easier via the numerous methods outlined in the policy, will not be tolerated, we’ve provided to make it accessible and will be investigated. women’s football for all. The VAFA has the single largest women’s competition in Garnering support will always provide football competition in community community football more positive outcomes for everyone football in Australia, combined Awards than negative attitudes and unhelpful pot Nights and Media Days, (3) female Board in Australia shots. Given where we all were 12 months Members, (9) female Club Presidents, a ago, I know which situation I prefer. Women’s Advisory Group and we are currently working to strengthen female representation on our Board. As an So, let’s work together and celebrate what’s great about Association, we pride ourselves on our inclusivity among the VAFA rather than trying to tear down the great all members, irrespective of gender. We recognise issues competition we all love. will arise and we will always strive to resolve them. This Anzac Day long weekend is a time to remember Round 2 threw up another challenge with the return of those who tragically passed away in war defending the rights of Australians. Whilst not actually participating on all community football competitions and the subsequent Anzac Day, many clubs will be conducting services to slow loading of results and ladders via SportsTG. SportsTG honour the Anzacs this Saturday, predominantly during provides the competition management system for the the interval between the reserves and the seniors. We VAFA and all community football leagues and, despite encourage everyone to take a moment to remember. Lest efforts to obtain our own data over the years, this is out we forget. of our control. The issue of slow load times is not due to the VAFA website but instead the SportsTG links. Since See you @ the Footy. The Amateur Footballer The Journal of the Victorian Amateur Football Association April 24, 2021 I Vol 20 No. 3 1 WILLIAM BUCK MEN’S PREMIER PREVIEW Nick Armistead Anzac Day weekend brings about some real blockbusters, the Trott. The T’s, on the other hand, will be looking to commencing with the RSN Carnival Match of the Day bounce back from two disappointing losses and a leg between Old Scotch and Collegians from Camberwell injury to Gabe Hamilton. Their fi nal term against OM’s was Sports Ground. Both sides experienced losses last a highlight and, if they can continue that form, they’re not weekend and will be keen to bounce back in a game each without a chance against their 2015 nemesis. would consider winnable. After defeating Trinity by 11 OM’s will try to maintain their unbeaten run against goals in Round 1, Scotch struggled to score in their clash University Blues at the Uni Oval. Through quarters with Xavs and continually broke down entering 50. While 2-3, OM’s were untouchable last week and piled on 10 missing key personnel – Gene van den Broek and Charlie goals to three against the T’s. Jackson Paine kicked four Cormack – they will be buoyed by the performances of but looks ready to explode any moment now, while Ned their talented pups – Ryan Valentine, Harry Stubbings Nichols mounted his case to be named the Rising Star and Tom Ansell in the ruck. Yet to win a game, Collegians winner after Round 2. They do, however, face the reigning failed to fi re in a game most considered theirs to lose. premiers after the Blues returned to their winning ways While they await the return of injured skipper, Sam against Caulfi eld. Another four goals from Sam Grimley Hibbins, David Mirra has quickly become a fan-favourite excites, but four from Kieran Harper could spell danger for with another four goals and dominant performance last everyone. week. 0-2, this is a must-win for the Lions. You can tune In the fi nal match, we have Old Brighton hosting into all the action from 1pm with the ‘Saturday Warm-Up’ Caulfi eld Grammarians at Brighton Beach. The fourth- before the Match of the Day broadcast from 2pm on RSN placed Tonners failed to stave off SKOB after leading by Carnival. 22 at the last break, but will be more than happy with the As two of just three undefeated sides in William Buck continued strong form of Will Lewis up forward. As for the Premier, the modern rivalry between St Kevin’s OB and Fields, they too started strongly in their match with the Old Xaverians is set to light up TH King Oval. Xavs put Blues and led by 13 at the half but were overrun in the one rival away when they defeated Scotch by 94 points second half. Young gun Cody Henness top scoring with last week, proving they’re a genuine contender in 2021. four will get the supporters up and about, but only one It was their half-back line that refused to allow the Cards from Brett Eddy means he could ignite at any stage now. any momentum, with Jordan Kelly, Will Hams, Joseph Ayton-Delaney and Alex Trigar standouts. SKOB enter this clash with serious momentum after coming from 22 points down against Brighton and running out three- point winners. Another fi ve goals from Tom Boyd opens the door to a potential mouth-watering clash with Ryan ROUND 3 TIPS Schoenmakers – if the VAFA Gods are so kind. Old Scotch v Collegians St Kevin’s OB v Old Xaverians St Bernard’s will look to make it two in a row when they St Bernard’s v Old Trinity host Old Trinity at the Snakepit. The Snow Dogs were Uni Blues v Old Melburnians valiant against Xavs in Round 1 and took their form to another level with a seven-point win over Collegians at Old Brighton v Caulfi eld Grammar THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2021 2 ROUND 2 RESULTS PLAYER PROFILE 2021 WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S LACHLAN FILIPOVIC Old Melburnians 2.5 6.10 12.12 14.14 (98) Old Trinity Grammarians 2.1 4.1 5.2 11.3 (69) Old Brighton GOALS: Old Melburnians: J. Paine 4, E. Nichols 2, L. Haysman 1, T.